'Autumn Lapwings' 13" x 16" oil on canvas

 

 

 

 

A return to my favourite subjects here with this painting,birds and water.The image is based on observations made at my local nature reserve here on the south coast of England last Autumn and depicts a pair of Lapwings sheltering in the lee of a shingle bank on a chilly but bright autumns day.I deliberately painted this in a looser manner than I might usually do and thoroughly enjoyed seeing what I could accomplish with this approach.
Despite having this studio blog for many years and attempting to keep it up to date with studio goings on and details of my exhibition etc and although it apparently has over 700 followers i could count on the fingers of one hand the numbers of people that interact with me which I find very disappointing after all the time and energy I put into it.I have never once had a single enquiry about an original piece featured here let alone a print or even a card sale.Therefore I feel that as an exercise in generating business it has proved to be a waste of my time and energy and  I will be abandoning the blog in the near future.Should there be anyone  out there interested in purchasing wildlife art originals,prints or cards all can be found on my website www.clivemeredithart.weebly.com   I wont however be holding my breath.For those of you who have taken the time to comment here over the years I thank you.

Winter Hare 20" x 16" oil on canvas

 

 

These are the progress shots of my latest Hare oil painting as it came together in my studio.The subject was first sketched onto my prepared stretched canvas and then,as is my usual practice,i started work on background elements.I prefer to paint my backgrounds first to ensure I make a good and convincing job of the animals surroundings as my interest can begin to wane in a piece once the main focus of the piece has been completed,so doing it this way round ensures a quality piece throughout.Having completed most of the background with a single coat of oils I made a start on the quick blocking in or underpainting of the Hare itself.I like to use sturdy short flat brushes for the underpainting stage as they are great for scrubbing oil thinly into the canvas.I don't use any thinning mediums except for a dash of liquin to help paint move freely during the detailed painting stage.Once the underpainting is complete and after a day or so to dry I started on the detailed top coat of oils,applying the paint a little thicker and utilising liquin medium to help lay on fur details.Having completed the Hare it was then just a case of completing the foreground snow and adding in the dry grasses.My favourite oils are the hand-made Michael Harding paints but I also use Winsor and Newton artists oils and Old Holland paints for some of my favourite colours.